Sew Crafy

Sunday, July 12, 2009

When size matters!

Yes, sometimes size matters - case in point, when entering your pictures with your application to CDDC. Please note: If you read the original version of this part of the blog please notes changes have been made to reflect accurate size of pictures to be submitted and kept for possible future use.

Also, one addendum – 4 clear pictures will be accepted and should be named as follows:

yourfirstname&firstinitialoflastnamefront
yourfirstname&firstinitialoflastnameback
yourfirstname&firstinitialoflastnameside
yourfirstname&firstinitialoflastnameextra

Below are some pointers to get this job done!

Before you do any changes such as resizing to a photo, be sure to make a backup copy. And, keep in mind, everyone needs to save a picture that is at least 1080 pixels high and 720 pixels wide for FDQ, just in case you’re a winner Remember, once you make a photo smaller, you can never go back to the original size without losing detail. And, it is always best to size down rather than sizing up; sizing up can cause distortion. But if you must size up, be sure to refocus (sharpen, or whatever term your software uses to make pictures clearer) after such a sizing. Ideally, however, if you take sharp pictures in the beginning, no refocus will be necessary.

Review these basic steps for editing photos no matter what photo editing software you use before you resize a picture!

1. Set your camera for highest resolution.
2. Make sure you have a backup copy (and a copy for FDQ in right size) of original picture.
3. Do any editing to your picture - crop, sharpen, etc.
4. Turn your picture if it's not going in the direction (horizontal, vertical) you want it.
5. Resize your photo.
6. Refocus if necessary.
7. Save resized photos with new name (and you can save a series of resized photos in an entirely new album for ease in locating).
8. Read the documentation that came with your software if this tutorial doesn't help you.

For entering pictures with your application for CDDC all you really need to know about picture size is that they are required to be 600 pixels high. The sizing techniques demonstrated here will automatically resize the width proportions in one easy step. They deal with two of the most popular programs - Adobe Photoshop and Corel Paint Shop Pro X, AND a program that most don't realize they have or can download for free, Paint.NET.

"Paint.NET is image and photo manipulation software designed to be used on computers that run Windows. It supports layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. It started development as an undergraduate college senior design project mentored by Microsoft, and is currently being maintained by some of the alumni that originally worked on it. Originally intended as a free replacement for the MS Paint software that comes with Windows, it has grown into a powerful yet simple tool for photo and image editing." - Publisher's comments

Got your photos?? Let's go!

Adobe Photoshop
1. After you have opened your image in Photoshop, click on image in your menu bar right under Adobe Photoshop title

Pic 1



2. Menu drops down; on there, then click on Image Size. (Sorry you cannot see menu drop-down screen very well – look closely!)

Pic 2


3. When you see the image size box, make sure constraint properties has a check by it; and then change height 680 pixels (example) to height 600 pixels by retyping 600 where 680 now appears.

Pic 3


4. Notice the new dimensions in the image size box; width has automatically been changed to appropriate pixel size; the size that is the right proportion for this picture.

Pic 4


5. Then you will see your image at the new size. Click file, save image as, rename your newly sized picture

Pic 5


Corel Paint Shop Pro X:
This is basically the same; see bold type for differences. After you have opened your image in PSPX (any version), click on image in your menu bar right under CPSPX title. When drop down menu appears click on resize. When you see the image size box, make sure resize all layers box has a check by it; and then change height pixels to height 600 pixels. Notice the new dimensions in the image size box; width has automatically been changed to appropriate width pixel size which is just right for this picture. Then you will see your image at the new size. Click file, save image as; rename your newly sized picture. And that is it of PSPX!

Paint.NET
If you do not find this program in your program list, try doing a search on your computer. Simply click start, search, then in all files and folders type in paint.net – if a shortcut comes up simply click it and your program will appear. You can also make a copy of the shortcut to put on your desktop for ease in finding this program the next time.

But if you still do not find this program in your computer, you can simply go here and download it for free:

Get Paint.NET

Then, go here for an excellent tutorial on resizing in Paint. NET!

Resize Photos on Paint.NET

This tutorial deals with changing width of picture to 300 but it will also apply if you change the height of your picture to 600 height as required! And, check out the other tutorials on this page if you choose to continue to use Paint.NET.

Disclaimer: As always, information on this blog is intended to help, not harm, you or your computer. However, no liability will be assumed by this author or CDDC for any information contained here because we are not able to monitor how this information will be used. “Read thoroughly and follow steps exactly” is the best advice you could be given on using any programs on your computer or other hardware devices. Happy picture editing!

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